Governance system

Calgarians are active in public dialogue and deliberation and use these skills to: participate in making decisions that affect them and their community’s well-being; resolve conflict; and, contribute to a high quality of life for all. Factors such as language, age, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, time, finances, ability, knowledge and health are not barriers to being an active citizen.

100-year Goals and Targets

Access

Calgary is a city in which individuals have access to all public information when they need it. They can and do participate in decisions that affect their well-being. Decision-making is an inclusive process in which broad-based support is actively sought and contributes to continual improvement in people’s lives. Factors such as language, age, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, time, finances, ability, knowledge and health are not barriers to public decision-making.

Target 48By 2016, 80 per cent of Calgarians report that they feel government activity is open, honest, inclusive and responsive.

Conflict resolution

Calgary is a city in which conflicts are resolved peacefully and individuals’ rights and responsibilities are accepted. Conflict resolution is seen as an opportunity to improve the fabric of the community — to ensure that all voices are heard in the resolution process. The community and local governments support mutual understanding and respect, harmony and co-operation among all peoples.

Target 50By 2036, 100 per cent of non-criminal disputes are resolved by some form of collaborative process.

Target 51

By 2036, 80 per cent of non-violent criminal offences are handled in the community in which the victim lives.

Target 52By 2020, 100 per cent of regulatory offences are enforced by the responsible governments, rather than through court processes.

Target 53By 2036, 100 per cent of personal conflicts among students, parents, teachers, administrators, support staff and elected representatives in the education system are resolved through collaborative means.

Equity

Calgary maintains and champions each person’s right to a sustainable life and a sustainable environment in which to live. Diversity is valued and all voices are considered in the decision-making process. Factors such as language, age, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, time, finances, ability, knowledge and health are not barriers to publicly provided goods and services. Each decision results in the most effective and fair method of achieving mutually beneficial objectives. All decision-making enhances the value, vitality and sustainability of human and natural systems in both the present and future.

Target 54By 2021, the makeup of elected and appointed bodies reflects the diversity of the community.

Target 55By 2010, all public institutions and organizations implement sustainability principles (e.g. Melbourne Principles) in decision-making and reporting, using tools such as triple bottom line.

Target 56By 2020, all public institutions and systems create and implement an urban Aboriginal policy that recognizes the detrimental colonial history experienced by First Nations, Metis and Inuit people; reduces barriers to public participation and governance; and supports economic, social and political advancement.

Target 57By 2036, racism and discrimination is dealt with by having public and private sector institutions and organizations throughout the city introduce meaningful and effective policies and processes and measurable outcomes.

Self-determination

Calgary is a partner in creating and managing a sustainable region. We are empowered and actively engaged in our local community and beyond. The personal and collective freedoms that Calgarians enjoy are balanced by their responsibilities to each other and the world. Opportunities for improving quality of life are numerous and accessible, creating an environment in which Calgarians are able to decide their futures.

Target 58By 2036, there is a 75 per cent turnout in municipal elections.

Target 59By 2036, there is a citizen-to-municipal-politician ratio of 55,000:1.

Target 60By 2036, The City of Calgary reduces its dependence on property taxes to no more than 25 per cent of revenue.

Target 61By 2036, all general revenues are based on the principle of progressive taxation.

Target 62By 2036, all publicly provided goods and services are affordable, accessible and priced in accordance with their public benefits.

Target 63By 2010, The City of Calgary has co-operative, supportive and mutually beneficial working relationships with governments in the region.

Target 64By 2016, governance is restructured to allow governments to create or reallocate authority so that effective decisions are made at the geographical scale that matches the processes involved.

Target 65By 2008, beginning with the approval of the 100-year vision, all government decisions protect individual freedoms, ensure that people meet their obligations and improve quality of life.

Target 66By 2008, and every year thereafter, groups/organizations/government report on how they have considered and adopted the imagineCALGARY targets and strategies that are relevant to them and in which they have been identified as having a role.